Boat Sound System Help

[Praesto 25]

Looking to fix the stereo system in my boat. It has not really operated well since I originally had it installed. I will be purchasing some new tower speakers and have some questions.

 

How do I know how much my amp can handle/do I need another or a new amp?

I have the polk 1100.5 amp, it's appeared to have been serving me well since I purchased it, but I don't know if it provides too little, enough, or too much power. I know the very first thing I need to do is provide equipment information, and I won't have that until this weekend. However I am looking at new tower speakers and so far I like the Kicker KMS67 HLCD speakers. The speakers can be found at the link below.

https://www.amazon.com/Kicker-Wakeboard-Component-Speakers-Tweeters/dp/B010ESOYUE/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1530111151&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=kicker+kms67+hlcd

I will provide head unit, in boat speaker (4), and sub information when I have it this weekend.

 

Do I have enough power?

I have a two battery hook-up, but historically they seem to run low and give me issues. Currently, I have a new alternator, and two batteries that are less than 1 year old. I can provide amp information this weekend, but together they were expensive. They were recommended by a guy at west marine who uses them on his boat. He seemed extremely knowledgeable and actually talked us down from spending more money by educating us. One is a starting battery, the other is a running battery.  I am about 95% sure that one is the 1050MA group 27 battery found at the top link, and the second is the dual purpose 810 group 27 found at the second link.

https://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-marine--marine-starting-battery-1050mca-group-27--15020126?recordNum=8

https://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-marine--dual-purpose-flooded-marine-battery-810-mca-group-27--15020191?recordNum=9

Is this a sufficient set-up? I have a bettery switch and usually leave both on for running. Also, due to historical battery issues, I carry and extra fully charged battery. If I run into battery issues while I am out, I hook it up and go straight back to dock.

 

These are my first two questions, once I make sure I have adequate power, and can get everything to work, I will probably reach out with wiring questions. I am not good with wiring and could benefit by finding a local buddy to help.

As always, thanks in advance for any and all support from the crew!

-P

 

[Wylie_Tunes 146]

51 minutes ago, Praesto said:

It has not really operated well since I originally had it installed.

Are there issues or just not meeting your expectation? Both need to be addressed moving forward, or you run the risk of spending money and time, only to have this repeat itself. 

Since looking at a 6.5" HLCD, what are your tower speaker goals?

 

52 minutes ago, Praesto said:

I don't know if it (the 1100.5) provides too little, enough, or too much power.

An amp like this will do well for 2-3 pair of in-boats and woofer. You will likely want a dedicated amp for the tower speakers.

58 minutes ago, Praesto said:

I have a two battery hook-up, but historically they seem to run low and give me issues.

If you experiencing issues while the engine is running, you do not have battery issue most likely. Sounds like cable, alternator or system configuration or use issue which needs to be address first. Adding more draw will just compound the issue. 

if you are asking if you have adequate power for anchoring, need to know the total system draw, which is you are not able to determine at this point, since more equipment may be added. Also need to know how you will typically use the system, and build a bank accordingly. 

[Praesto 25]

1 hour ago, Wylie_Tunes said:

Are there issues or just not meeting your expectation? Both need to be addressed moving forward, or you run the risk of spending money and time, only to have this repeat itself. 

Last season I believe we fixed all the issues, this season will be the truthsayer for whether or not we were successful. First time out this season went great though. The time and money spent was last season when we got a new alternator and batteries. 

1 hour ago, Wylie_Tunes said:

Since looking at a 6.5" HLCD, what are your tower speaker goals?

Overall just looking for speakers that will sound pretty good when someone is boarding, not an audiophile and don't need to drop $1200+ on the revs/exiles.

1 hour ago, Wylie_Tunes said:

An amp like this will do well for 2-3 pair of in-boats and woofer. You will likely want a dedicated amp for the tower speakers.

Alright, so then it sounds like I may need another amp for tower speakers, which is fine but good to know.

1 hour ago, Wylie_Tunes said:

If you experiencing issues while the engine is running, you do not have battery issue most likely. Sounds like cable, alternator or system configuration or use issue which needs to be address first. Adding more draw will just compound the issue. 

if you are asking if you have adequate power for anchoring, need to know the total system draw, which is you are not able to determine at this point, since more equipment may be added. Also need to know how you will typically use the system, and build a bank accordingly. 

I think the original issue was the alternator was bad, resulting in a failure to charge the batteries. I will be using the boat a lot this week coming up, so I will be able to do a strong test on performance with the new equipment. I actually don't usually listen to music while anchored, I assume that's nearly impossible to do without running the boat while anchored? 

 

I don't mind getting another amp if necessary, or getting another/changing a battery. Just want to focus on getting it all right. Seems like I may need to hire a professional to wire it all together. I already have the wires running through the tower and into the amp. The amp sits under the glove box against the wall behind the bow seat. 

 

Is there any potential of fire by having two amps close together? 

[Wylie_Tunes 146]

Those 6.5" HLCD when powered right, can project music to a boarder. You will need another amp to achieve this.

If anchoring and playing tunes is not the objective, then your current batteries are fine. However, you would want to make sure the system is wired correctly for the type of switch you have. 

A couple inches between amps is nice, allows for some ventilation. I would not worry about close being a fire hazard though. 

[Praesto 25]

I would have no problem putting space between the amps, was just s little curious. Do you have any other amp recommendations for the tier speakers? 

I think right now this is all powered through the head unit, is that right? 

[Wylie_Tunes 146]

Lets wait till you get the specifics on the polk 5 chnl and the woofer, before making a tower amp suggestion. 

[Praesto 25]

I would have no problem putting space between the amps, was just s little curious. Do you have any other amp recommendations for the tier speakers? 

I think right now this is all powered through the head unit, is that right?

[Praesto 25]

Currently I have:

• Amp: Polk 1100.5 details here
• Sub: Polk MM 1040
• In Boat Speakers: Kicker 06KM613
• Head Unit: Jensen MSR3012
• Battery 1: Dual-Purpose Flooded Marine Battery, 810 MCA, Group 27
• Battery 2: Marine Starting Battery, 1050MCA, Group 27

Would like to add:

• Tower Speakers: Kicker 41KMS674C

 

I can add another amp if necessary, how should I power everything? I am new to this and trying if possible to DIY it. The tower speakers are all wired from my last pair, but I think the amp set-up was wrong. Also I can add another battery if necessary. I actually bring an extra battery incase I run into battery issues, I also have another battery I could bring if necessary. Both of these two are a little older but they work in a pinch.

 

 

[Wylie_Tunes 146]

Ok, here is what I would do:

Use the existing polk 5 chnl for the woofer, as it is now, the then the new tower speakers on the 4 full range chnls. This will give them up to 250 watts rms to each side. That perfect!

Then, pick up a nice 2 chnl amp and move the 4 in-boats over to it.  The Kicker KXMA400.2 would be a slight bump in wattage, from what the in-boats are getting now, rather then taking a step back. 

[Praesto 25]

Thanks for the info, I can go ahead and do that. Do I need to change my battery setup, or is that good? As a final question, should all the speakers be wired to their amps, then both amps wired to the one head unit? 

[Wylie_Tunes 146]

I think your battery setup is just fine for your use.

 

yes, ALL the speaker will be wired to amps, which is best. Both amps connected to head unit vie RCA cables. 

[Praesto 25]

Speakers on order, will get the amp you recommended. If possible, I would like to hook this up myself. It will save me a ton of money.

 

How do I test which speaker wires go to each speaker? The wires are all ran through the tower and into the battery/amp compartment already. It sounds like I need to figure out what runs where, then figure out where to put each speaker wire / the sub.

[h20king 794]

9 volt battery. Connect to wire in compartment. If speaker moves out polarity is correct if it moves in polarity is reversed. 

[Praesto 25]

Do I get a splitter for my head unit? It appears to have 1 red and 1 black RCA connector in the back. It would be easiest for me to use a splitter and then split them in the compartment where the amps are housed (That way I don't have to start taking the boat apart too much)

 

After I get that figured out, does this sound right:

Step 1) Connect Sub to Polk 1100.5, this part is easy because there is only 1 place to connect it

Step2) Connect left in boat speakers to channel 1 on amp, and right in boat speakers to channel 2, this should be easy once I identify the speakers if that's all I have to do.

Step3) Connect right tower speakers to AMP1 R+/R- and left tower speakers to AMP1 L+/L- tower speakers

Step4) Power+Ground both amps and connect RCA connectors

 

This looks pretty straight forward. The only part I may have trouble with is power/grounding both amps. The power & ground are already in place for the amp in there, but not exactly sure how to do the new amp. Can I splice off the current power/grounds?

[Wylie_Tunes 146]

17 minutes ago, Praesto said:

Can I splice off the current power/grounds?

With a proper distribution block(s), yes. However, you have to  figure out if the size (gauge) of those cables will carry the load of that 2nd amp. 

19 minutes ago, Praesto said:

Do I get a splitter for my head unit? It appears to have 1 red and 1 black RCA connector in the back

What model head unit? 

[Praesto 25]

1 hour ago, Wylie_Tunes said:

With a proper distribution block(s), yes. However, you have to  figure out if the size (gauge) of those cables will carry the load of that 2nd amp. 

What model head unit? 

Sounds like I should just have a professional do the install. Such a pain cause that will probably cost a couple hundred

 

head unit is 

• Head Unit: Jensen MSR3012

[Wylie_Tunes 146]

Looks like that H/U does have only one stereo RCA output, So you would need to split it, or use a hi-level to RCA converter on a 2 pair of the speaker outputs. 

[Praesto 25]

I will try to find a reputable shop to do the install. I don't want to try a self install and damage the speakers/amps before I even get to use them.

I will hook the speakers into the amps, and split the RCA so that all I have to get the shop to do is ground/power the amps. Should make it relatively low cost. 

[Praesto 25]

Couldn't edit my last post - 

Now I am considering doing this myself. It looks like it may be easier than I thought. 

 

Do I simply connect the distribution block to the ground and current power source using a wire that is = to the gauge of X+Y amps, then use a wire of gauge X to connect ground and power to amp X, and vise versa for Y. If so then that problem should be solved.

 

Connecting the amps to the speakers and splitting the RCA connector is obviously really easy. Tuning is not hard either. The only problem I would need to work through is using the distribution block with the grounds and power. Do you have any you might recommend so I can get it on order?